Liverpool need to sell before they can buy in the January transfer window…
Daily Mail journalist Rob Shepherd believes that Liverpool must offload flop Mario Balotelli before they line up a double swoop for Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Romero.
Much has been made in the press about the Reds ongoing need for a new striker and goalkeeper in the January transfer window, but there are doubts on what money manager Brendan Rodgers has left to spend after his summer spree.
According to the source, Balotelli could go to Sampdoria, raising funds for two new players this winter. The Mail suggests allowing the striker to leave in a deal which sees Romero move the other way.
The extra cash raised in that deal could then be put towards a £30m move for Higuain, with his club side Napoli having already purchased Sampdoria front-man Manolo Gabbiadini as a direct replacement.
While this seems an unlikely scenario to say the least, Liverpool’s need for a couple of extra players remains apparent, despite Rodgers’ insistence that it will be a quiet window for us this time around.
Despite our dominance, we were only able to score once against Sunderland, and that lack of cutting edge could have come back to haunt us on another day. Indeed, it almost did, with the Black Cats hitting the bar in the second half.
Yes, we do have both Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge to come back into the side, but it’s worth remembering that Balotelli, along with Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert, have managed just one league goal between them this season.
Simon Mignolet also remains a subject for concern. With Brad Jones sidelined through injury, surely Rodgers must bring in someone who can at least provide some competition for the goalkeeping spot, during the second-half of the season.